Bridge of Allan Allotment Association recently got in touch with the Dr Welsh Trust and shared news of the community orchard that the Association is planting [background information on this can be read in the Stirling Observer article of 12 April 2024, which is copied below]

In communicating with the Dr Welsh Trust, Ronald Don of the Allotment Association outlined a forthcoming event:

“The next tree planting event is on 21 February 2025. We are hoping that trees may be donated for this event. Eventually we hope that the Community orchard will have about 220 fruit trees”.

Ronald Don also outlined a proposal to install a signage story board at the entrance of the orchard that will reference the Scott Orchards of the past [Drumdruils and Cornton] and their importance to Bridge of Allan.

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The Bridge of Allan Allotment Association facebook page.

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Stirling Observer, 12 April 2024:

Fruit trees and willow cuttings were planted at the new community orchard in Bridge of Allan

People in Bridge of Allan are being rewarded with a community orchard, courtesy of allotment holders who appreciated their local support through a rough patch.

It was little more than a year ago when a petition was started to urge Stirling Council to reconsider a proposed 300 per cent increase in allotment fees – garnering more than 500 signatures.

The proposed increase also sparked the allotment holders at Bridge of Allan to form an association, with the aim of taking over management responsibilities from the council.

Spokesperson Ronald Don said: “The association has achieved charitable status and negotiations with the council are at an advanced stage.

“In order to thank locals for their support the association planned to establish a community orchard/ garden. This orchard garden acknowledges the importance of orchards and agricultural to the heritage of Bridge of Allan, being akin to the spa and the Keirfield dye works (later the Kork n Seal and United Glass).

“The association was successful in obtaining grant funding for the establishment of the orchard/ garden and advice was obtained from Scottish Fruit Trees.”

The efforts recently saw the launch of the community orchard/ garden project with the planting of eight fruit trees and willow cuttings along the boundaries of the area of the community garden/orchard.

“We were blessed with a fantastic day weatherwise – dry, bright and mild,” said Ronald. “The event was well attended and thanks go to all who attended in support of this project.

“Particular thanks go to the various Bridge of Allan Scouting groups, locals and plotholders who enthusiastically assisted with the planting of the fruit trees and the willow cuttings.

“It was also great to have so many locals signing up for membership of the association. Membership is free and you don’t need to be an allotment holder to be a member. However those who wish to go on the waiting list for an allotment should be a member. There is a great demand for allotments in the Stirling area with about 20 on the current waiting list held by the council.

“There was also a lot of interest in sponsoring a tree in memory of a loved one. This could be a fruit tree in the orchard or a native tree to be planted in the boundary areas between the willow.

“Many thanks to Jennifer Clarke who organised the event and provided some of the photographs in the slideshow and to Sandy and Jimmy who tutored on the planting of the trees and willows.

“Sandy and Jennifer also brought and erected the event gazebo and provided apples for the young helpers. Sandy also provided the tree guards to protect them from the local deer. The Butterfly Trust kindly provided leaflets and posters which were in demand. All in all a fantastic day.”